Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Happy, Helpful Holiday



What does Momo offer that you can’t find online? Well, let’s start with the stellar service of Angela, Lexi, Leland and Osean.

















Add to that our always unique, up-cycled complimentary wrapping, shared here by our lovely customer Anne Marie.


Top it off with special in-person shopping hours:
Friday + Saturday, December 18 + 19: 11:00 - 7:00
Sunday, December 20: 11:00 - 6:00
Monday - Wednesday, December 21 - 23: 11:00 - 7:00
Thursday, December 24: 11:00 - 5:00

And there you have it! Happy holidays to you. Looking forward to making your season bright. 

xo The Momo Team





Thursday, November 26, 2015

Wine Down at Momo

Ease into your weekend at ‘Pouring a New Look,’ a tasting with local wine maker Andrew Januik of Novelty Hill-Januik Winery, co-hosted by Momo and friend-of-the-neighborhood, Phillip Sit. Join us as Andrew talks about the recent 2015 harvest and shares his featured wines.

Friday, December 4 from 5:30 - 7:30
Momo in Japantown
600 South Jackson Street
$20 Tasting Fee
Tickets available online


Novelty Hill-Januik Winery is a favorite Woodinville destination, known for their award-winning Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc (239 total 90+ rating from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate).
Flights includes:
- Novelty Hill 2012 Merlot
- Januik 2012 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
- Novelty Hill 2014 Stillwater Creek Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc
- Andrew Januik 2013 Stone Cairn Cabernet Sauvignon


Bottles will be available for purchase. And of course, you are always welcome to shop while you sip.
This is a 21+ private event. For more information, call 206.329.4736 or email lala@momoseattle.com.

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Count the Ways to Count Your Days

As incredible as it is to contemplate, we are nearing the end of 2015.

Now, we know that everyone has calendars on their personal devices — computers, Smart phones, Google Glass (hahaha)...but there is much to be said for a lovely, old-school calendar. Momo currently has three unique and attractive options for you to choose from, two from local designers and the third from Japan.

In 2005, Ilee Papergoods designer Ja Teuber made her first ready-made product: her hand-printed month-by-month calendar. It was such a success that she continues to make these to this day. The attention to detail, beautiful prints and local/handmade appeal has made this a very popular gift — some fans make a tradition of buying one every year.




Another fun, compact calendar is “Type Riot,” designed and produced by Paper Hammer Studios (you can visit their shop on Second Avenue). Established by the delightful Ed Marquand, Paper Hammer set out to revitalize Tieton, located on the far western edge of the Yakima Valley. Today, a collective of businesses called Mighty Tieton has awakened this tiny town by connecting creative urban professionals with studio and production space, unused buildings and local production resources.

Perfect for your graphic designer or font-geek friend, this one also comes with a storage/display case.



Last but not least, another holiday gift favorite: linen tea towel calendars from Tokyo’s Fog Linen Work. How often does one encounter an item that is both completely practical and utterly whimsical? Not very, which is one of the reasons we adore these. Choose from DIY birds, cats in windows and a plethora of pears. Whatever your preference, mark your calendars for a stylish way to welcome the new year.



All, made of fine Lithuanian linen.



Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Mobile Dressing Room: Built with Feathrr

http://momoseattle.com/builder.htm

Awhile ago I.D. neighbor Kenny popped into Momo to share his idea for an app, ‘Feathrr,’ a virtual dressing room where shoppers could ‘try on’ outfits on their mobile devices — like playing with a paper doll. Yeah, yeah, I thought to myself, another social media chore. Kenny continued to bounce in with reports on incremental progress, asking if he could photograph our inventory, blah blah blah. I would nod and wave, busy with a customer or rearranging merchandise.

Then one day he showed me the images he and his partner, Julie, took of all our Momo clothing. Nice job! And then he showed me how it all came together — what fun! Now I’m a Feathrr fan, and I’m here to share.

>> Go to momoseattle.com
>> Click on ‘A Closer Look at This Outfit’
>> Swipe away! The app totals the cost of the entire outfit, too
>> No e-commerce as of yet, so if you’re truly keen on an item, click on More Actions and email Momo, we’re here for you
>> Cute shoes courtesy of Clementine Shoes in Pioneer Square, give them a call if you see anything you crave: 206.935.9400

If you’re interested in learning more about Feathrr, check out their website: http://www.feathrr.com/#

Happy shopping!


Tuesday, October 13, 2015

The Layering Season



Our lingering summer has faded into fall ... launching the intermediate ‘layering season.’ Fluctuating temperatures (with nights dipping into the 40s while daytime temps hit 70+) mean that we will be shedding and adding clothing multiple times throughout the course of the day.

Momo is here to help ease you into this mutable time of year with many ‘middle-layers’ – pieces that are warm enough to act as an outer layer during the day while being streamlined enough to fit under your coat when the chill sets in. 

Here are some of our favorites this week: 



Three Stones ‘Reflection’ zip-through sweater has a terrific heft without being bulky. An especially perfect feature for layering is the second zipper, which allows for a a super snug and flattering fit.
Second zipper on the ‘Reflection’ hoodie. 






The ‘Portia’ cardigan by eco-chic Skunkfunk is an incredibly soft, retro-collegiate sweater that will pair with a vast array of outfits.





50% merino wool and 50% cotton, our Damask cardigan is both elegant and practical. It even has a generous hood and deep pockets!





For a super-fitted, super-thin yet insulating middle layer, we have this Bench zippered top/jacket. Stretchy and silky, with sporty inset panels around the shoulders, it is hood-free. 









We love to play around with clothes and layering ideas. Creative layering is one of Momo Mama Lei Ann’s specialties, actually! Pop in and let us demonstrate the versatility of ‘middle layer’ clothing and how to maximize for comfort and utility.  

Sunday, September 20, 2015

Seeking Perfect Part-time Momo Peep

Momo is a happy • lucky • lifestyle shop located in Seattle’s Chinatown/International District. We are seeking new team members to help build the business and make our unique boutique and neighborhood a nationwide destination. 

Interested?
1. Get familiar: Read through this blog, FB: MOMOseattle,  yelp: Momo in Seattle
2. Come to the shop and look around: 600 South Jackson Street in Japantown
3. Drop us an email with a paragraph or two about why you are the ideal next Momo Peep and what you can contribute to our shop and community, along with your résumé and three references. lala@momoseattle.com

The Ideal Momo Peep:
- Has a minimum of two years of retail/customer service experience
- Is comfortable working independently or as part of a team
- Learns quickly and is a self-starter without being a renegade
- Genuinely enjoys interacting with people, is positive and open
- Is adept with computers and POS system
- Familiar with the Chinatown/International District, and can act as concierge
- Must be flexible to work weekdays/weekends and holidays including weeks up to Christmas

The Job Description in Three Parts:
1. Customer Service
- Greet customers upon entry and support our sales approach of encouraging exploration in a relaxed atmosphere
- Engage the customer; ascertain interests and needs by listening
- Answer questions about the neighborhood and shop, share stories behind relevant merchandise
- Recommend selection based on input and assist in locating appropriate size, color, etc.
- Explain use and care of merchandise; demonstrate if necessary
- Assist customers in trying on or fitting clothing and/or accessories
- Bag or package purchases, and wrap gifts
- Establish first-name rapport, thanking customer for shopping

2. Computer & Clerical
- Open register and close/reconcile by counting money, separating charge slips, and balancing cash drawer
- Compute sales prices, total purchases and process cash or credit payments
- Understand and execute exchange/return policies
- Maintain knowledge of current sales and promotions
- Inspect, prepare and ticket merchandise to ready for purchase
- Receive product into POS, update pricing and reconcile discrepancies with suppliers
- Restock and inventory merchandise

3. Shop Keeping
- Attractively arrange and display merchandise to captivate customers and promote sales
- Maintain a pleasing ambiance with appropriate music, temperature and pleasant smell
- Clean and tidy public space of shelves, counter tops, tables; vacuum and mop floors
- Organize and maintain non-public areas of back stock and store supply storage
- Watch for and recognize security risks and thefts, know how to prevent or handle these situations

The Fine Print:
- Excellent verbal skills, Japanese, Chinese or Vietnamese speaker a plus
- Part-time: two to four days a week
- Pay DOE
- Employee discount, clothing stipend based on merit






Friday, September 18, 2015

Basque in Green Style

Bilbao, Spain, mid-’90s. A small clothing concern with a big concept launches its first line: eco-conscious and socially responsible tees made from organic and recycled materials. The company? Skunkfunk.

In classic Skunkfunk teal, the ‘Gaxi’ is reminiscent of Jackie O frocks. 
Now known globally for their intense focus on sustainability, Skunkfunk is one of the elite Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified clothing makers, meeting and exceeding the incredibly rigorous guidelines of the organization. Skunkfunk monitors their clothing production from start to finish – from farmers to weavers, manufacturers to shippers, with the aim of achieving 100% transparency to their consumers. 

Soft-as-a-cloud drawstring cowl-neck has playful neon details.
Not only is Skunkfunk a company you can feel good about supporting for environmental reasons, they are also creatively progressive. Each season they collaborate with different artists in a variety of fields, creating lines that are stylish and au courant. 

We are loving the Asian-inspired geometrics!

‘Rebecca’ raincoat is perfection. Water-resistant waxed cotton, secret hood that zips into a structured collar, adjustable back belt buttons, patch AND slash pockets, and a completely unique feature: interior elastic ‘backpack’ straps that let you sling your jacket across your back without fear of losing it!
Momo has received an abundant collection of Skunkfunk for fall, ranging from dresses with a retro-mod flair to Japanese-inspired skirts and cowl-neck tops — truly something to appeal to every taste. Plus, the European sizing runs smaller than US, perfect for our petite customers. Drop by Japantown for a trip to Spain!